Jenkins Honored with Thaddeus Seymour Staff Award for Community Engagement

Rev. Katrina Jenkins, former dean of religious and spiritual life, is the recipient of the 2023 Thaddeus Seymour Staff Award for Community Engagement.

During her tenure, Jenkins exuded a warm, welcoming spirit and always stepped up to support College programs and community engagement efforts that went beyond her job description. A student educator and a passionate advocate for others, Jenkins worked alongside a number of spiritual communities during her time at the College and represented Rollins through the Winter Park Ministerial Alliance, Leadership Winter Park, and Delta Kappa Gamma Women’s Honorary Educational Society.

Additionally, she served as a board member at the Winter Park Library and Hope CommUnity Center as well as a committee member for Bridging the Color Divide Winter Park while also facilitating retreats for educators, health-care staff, and clergy at the Center of Courage & Renewal.

“Along with her extensive commitment to Rollins and our community at large, Rev. Katrina Jenkins epitomizes servant leadership,” writers her nominator, “which focuses on the growth and well-being of people and the communities to which they belong.”

Thaddeus Seymour joined Rollins in 1978 as the 12th president of the College. During his 12-year tenure, he transformed Rollins through his commitment to academic excellence, fundraising, and relationships with the local community. The Thaddeus Seymour Staff Award for Community Engagement was established in 2006 as a means of recognizing Rollins staff members for sustainable and demonstrated service in local and global communities. In the spirit of Rollins’ mission of educating global citizens and responsible leaders, this award is granted annually to the staff member who has transformed our community through community engagement.

A donation of $500 will be made in honor of Jenkins toward the community organization of her choice to further encourage her efforts in citizenship and leadership.